Prostate Gland Function In Males

Another Common Issue: Enlarged Prostate Or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

What is a prostate gland and what is its function? – Dr. Amrith Rao

Noncancerous prostate enlargement is the most common prostate problem for men over 50 years old, according to the NIDDK.

It’s not well understood what causes prostate enlargement, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia , but research suggests age-related hormonal changes may be to blame. Men younger than 40 rarely experience symptoms of BPH.

In men with BPH, the prostate presses into and pinches the urethra as it enlarges.

This pressure can negatively affect the urine-holding bladder, which is connected to the urethra, by weakening it and preventing it from emptying completely.

Prostate enlargement can cause a number of related urination symptoms, such as:

Increased urinary frequency and urgency
Weak or interrupted urine stream
Urine with an unusual color or smell
Nocturia, or frequent urination during periods of sleep
Pain after urination

Over time, BPH may cause complications, including urinary tract infections, damage to the bladder or kidneys, and bladder stones, among other things.

Treatment of BPH includes lifestyle changes, medication, and surgery, which may be minimally invasive.

Maintain A Balanced Diet

Green, leafy vegetables are a fantastic starting step toward a healthy prostate, even if theyre not your favorite portion of any meal. These veggies are high in vitamins and antioxidants that keep you, and your prostate in particular, healthy.

So, for a tasty prostate-healthy meal, seek for recipes that include lettuce, spinach, kale, and broccoli. They all contribute to a normal prostate gland function.

Avoid charred meats while heaping your plate with these leafy greens. PhIP, a chemical molecule generated when meat is charred, is thought to be linked to an increased risk of cancer.

Closing The Urethra During Ejaculation

During ejaculation, the prostate contracts and squirts prostatic fluid into the urethra. Here, it mixes with sperm cells and fluid from the seminal vesicles to create semen, which the body then expels.

When the prostate contracts during ejaculation, it closes off the opening between the bladder and urethra, pushing semen through at speed. This is why, in typical anatomic situations, it is impossible to urinate and ejaculate simultaneously.

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The Prostate Gland: Mans Center Of Gravity

The prostate gland is a mysterious male reproductive organ that can be a source of curiosity, anxiety, fear and potential trouble. Since this gland is a midline organ nestled deep within the pelvis, I like to think of it as mans center of gravity.

Where exactly is the prostate gland?

The prostate gland is located behind the pubic bone and is attached to the bladder and the urethra . The rectum is directly behind the prostate . The prostate is situated at the crossroads of the urinary and reproductive tracts and completely surrounds the urethra, allowing its many ducts to drain into the urethra. The relationship between the prostate and the urethra can potentially be the source of problems for the older male. When a man ages, the prostate gland gradually enlarges. This prostate enlargement can constrict and block the urethra, giving rise to bothersome urinary symptoms.

What is the prostate, what purpose does it serve, and how does it function?

The prostate is a male reproductive gland that produces prostate fluid, a nutrient and energy vehicle for sperm. The prostate consists of glandular and fibro-muscular tissue enclosed by a capsule of collagen, elastin and smooth muscle. The glandular tissue contains the secretory cells that produce the prostate fluid.

What are the zones of the prostate gland?

Curious facts about the prostate:

Can Male Menopause Be Treated

If your testosterone levels are low, hormone replacement therapy may help relieve symptoms, such as the loss of interest in sex, depression and fatigue. However, replacing male hormones can make prostate cancer worse, and may make atherosclerosis worse, also.

You should receive a complete physical examination and laboratory tests should be performed before starting hormone replacement therapy. There are still many unanswered questions about how many middle-aged men could benefit from hormone replacement therapy. Talk to your healthcare provider about all the pros and cons of this treatment and what the best option is for you.

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Blood And Lymphatic Vessels

The prostate receives blood through the inferior vesical artery, internal pudendal artery, and middle rectal arteries. These vessels enter the prostate on its outer posterior surface where it meets the bladder, and travel forward to the apex of the prostate. Both the inferior vesical and the middle rectal arteries often arise together directly from the internal iliac arteries. On entering the bladder, the inferior vesical artery splits into a urethral branch, supplying the urethral prostate and a capsular branch, which travels around the capsule and has smaller branches which perforate into the prostate.

The veins of the prostate form a network the prostatic venous plexus, primarily around its front and outer surface. This network also receives blood from the deep dorsal vein of the penis, and is connected via branches to the vesical plexus and internal pudendal veins. Veins drain into the vesical and then internal iliac veins.

The lymphatic drainage of the prostate depends on the positioning of the area. Vessels surrounding the vas deferens, some of the vessels in the seminal vesicle, and a vessel from the posterior surface of the prostate drain into the external iliac lymph nodes. Some of the seminal vesicle vessels, prostatic vessels, and vessels from the anterior prostate drain into internal iliac lymph nodes. Vessels of the prostate itself also drain into the obturator and sacral lymph nodes.

Microscopic glands of the prostate

Where Is The Prostate Located

The prostate gland is located deep in the pelvis, between the penis and the bladder.

The prostate may be felt by inserting a finger into the rectum and pushing it toward the front of the body.

The urethra, a tube that takes urine and sperm out of the body, travels through the prostate. Since the prostate surrounds this duct, any prostate issues may affect urine flow.

This organ is part of the male sexual, or reproductive, anatomy.

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How Is The Prostate Involved In Reproduction

The prostatic fluid accounts for 20 to 30 percent of the volume of seminal fluid .

As mentioned before, this fluid contains enzymes, proteins, and minerals that protect and nourish sperm and are necessary for the proper functioning of sperm cells.

What’s more, research, such as one paper published in July 2015 in the journal PloS One, has suggested the alkalinity of the fluid helps ensure the viability of sperm in reproduction.

Prostate Cancer Risk Increases With Age

Functions Of The Prostate Gland And Nutritional Support

People over age 55 are more likely to develop prostate cancer, but more often, it occurs even later. In fact, 60% of prostate cancers occur in people over age 65.

There is a wide range of treatment options for this condition. These include:

Prostatectomy is the surgical removal of the gland. It is performed either robotically or using laparoscopic methods.
Radiation therapy uses radio waves to kill cancerous tumors.
Chemotherapy uses drugs that target and kill cancer cells. These may be taken orally or intravenously.

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Anatomy And Function Of Seminal Vesicles

The seminal vesicles are located below the bladder and above the prostate gland. An individual seminal vesicle consists of a single coiled tube off of which several pouches branch.

The tube of a seminal vesicle is made up of three different layers:

moist inner layer of specialized cells that work to produce seminal vesicle fluid
middle layer of smooth muscle tissue
outer layer of connective tissue

Part of the seminal vesicles and the vas deferens combine to form the ejaculatory duct, which eventually drains into the prostatic portion of the urethra. During ejaculation, the smooth muscle layer of the seminal vesicles contracts, releasing the seminal vesicle fluid into the ejaculatory duct.

The function of the seminal vesicles is to both produce and store fluid that will eventually become semen. This fluid comprises about 70 percent of the fluid thats released during ejaculation.

The fluid produced in the seminal vesicles provides an environment thats very important for the proper functioning and survival of sperm. The main components of this fluid are:

fructose, a sugar that provides sperm with energy
alkaline fluid, which helps to neutralize the acidic nature of the male urethra and the female vagina
proteins like semenogelin, which forms a gel-like protective layer around sperm
phosphorus and potassium, which help sperm move
prostaglandins, hormones that have a role in lowering the female immune response to semen

Surgery May Be Required To Treat A Range Of Conditions That Affect The Prostate Here We Take A Look At The Three Most Common Types Of Prostate Surgery

Prostate surgery is a very effective treatment for a number of conditions, the two most common being prostate cancer and benign prostatic hypertrophy .

In the case of cancer, these procedures are performed to stop the spread of malignant cells. For BPH, surgery may be required to relieve symptoms that are making it difficult to urinate, which can have a significant impact on quality of life.

Where Does Prostate Cancer Spread

The most common place for prostate cancer to spread to is the bones. It can also spread to the lymph nodes, liver and lungs and other organs.

A large tumour in the prostate gland can spread into or press on areas around the prostate, such as the back passage or urethra. The urethra is the tube which carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.

Understanding The Anatomy Of The Prostate

Despite its importance, the prostate gland in an adult man is only about the size and shape of a walnut and weighs less than 1 ounce .

It is located below the bladder, above the pelvic floor muscles, and in front of the rectum.

The prostate reaches its mature size during puberty and will keep its walnut size until the man is in his late forties or early fifties. After this age, it slowly begins to enlarge.

The prostate, which surrounds the urethra, is made up of glandular, stromal tissue, and smooth muscles fused within a capsule.

Though the prostate gland is often referenced as a singular entity, it is actually made up of a number of tubular or saclike glands that secrete fluids into the urethra through the ejaculatory ducts.

The prostate is divided into three histologically and anatomically separate glandular areas: The transition zone, the central zone, and the peripheral zone.

Transition Zone This surrounds the part of the urethra that passes through the prostate . This zone only represents about 5 percent of the gland, but is the primary origination of benign prostatic hyperplasia, or enlarged prostate. That is, the transition zone is the region of the prostate that grows as men age.

Central Zone Making up quarter of the prostate, this area surrounds the transition zone, as well as the ejaculatory ducts that stretch from the seminal vesicles which produces the majority of the fluid of semen to the prostatic region of the urethra.

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What Are The Treatments For Prostate Problems

There are a variety of different treatments for prostate problems, depending on the particular condition. Many of these treatments are aimed at relieving symptoms, such as urinary problems and sexual problems.

Some of the most common treatments for prostate problems include:

Medications: There are many different types of medications that can be used to treat prostate problems. These medications can be taken orally or injected directly into the prostate gland. Some of the most common types of medications used to treat prostate problems include alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors.
Surgery: Surgery is a common treatment for prostate problems. There are a variety of different surgical procedures that can be used to treat prostate problems, depending on the severity of the condition.
Radiation therapy: This treatment uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. It can be given externally or internally .
Hormone therapy: This treatment lowers the levels of testosterone in the body, which can slow the growth of cancer cells.
Chemotherapy: This treatment uses drugs to kill cancer cells.
Active surveillance: This is a monitoring program for men with prostate cancer that is not aggressive. It involves regular check-ups and tests to watch for signs of cancer progressing.

If you want to approach a natural way of healing prostate issues, there are some key things you can do.

One of the best supplements for the prostate is PX7 Primal Flow.

What is PX7 Primal Flow?

Your Prostate Has Four Areas

The prostate gland contains four areas, or zones.

The peripheral zone is the largest segment, containing about 75% of the glands in the prostate. Most prostate cancer occurs in the peripheral zone and is the site where most needle biopsies are taken. The peripheral zone contains the majority of the prostatic tissue.

The central zone of the prostate gland is the area that surrounds the ejaculatory ducts. Less than 5% of prostate cancers originate here. However, if prostate cancer does originate here, it is more aggressive and can metastasize to the seminal vesicles.

The transition zone surrounds the urethra in the place where it enters the prostate. This part of the prostate grows in adult men and is responsible for BPH, or the enlarged prostate. Around 20% of cancers originate here.

The fourth zone is the anterior fibromuscular storma.

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What Does The Prostate Gland Do

09 August 2010

The prostate gland is a male reproductive organ whose main function is to secrete prostate fluid, one of the components of semen. The muscles of the prostate gland also help propel this seminal fluid into the urethra during ejaculation .

The prostate is a muscular gland that weighs about three-fourths of an ounce about the size of a small apricot. It surrounds the urethra just beneath the bladder .

During ejaculation, millions of sperm move from the testes through tubes called the vas deferens into the area of the prostate. At this point, the prostate contracts, closing off the opening between the bladder and the urethra, releasing fluid into the urethra and pushing semen on through.

The fluid excreted by the prostate makes up about one-third of the total volume of semen and contains various enzymes, zinc and citric acid. Though prostate fluid is slightly acidic, another fluid in semen made by the seminal vesicles leaves semen slightly alkaline, or basic. This alkalinity helps protect sperm and prolong their life after they are deposited in the acidic environment of the vagina, according to the biology textbook, Life: The Science of Biology, Eighth Addition .

One component of prostate fluid an enzyme called Prostate Specific Antigen also aids in the success of sperm by liquefying semen that has thickened after ejaculation. This thinning action allows sperm to swim more freely, according to the medical reference book Prostate Specific Antigen .

Whats The Male Reproductive System

What is the role and function of the prostate gland?

The male reproductive system includes a group of organs that make up a mans reproductive and urinary system. These organs do the following jobs within your body:

They produce, maintain and transport sperm and semen .
They discharge sperm into the female reproductive tract.
They produce and secrete male sex hormones.

The male reproductive system is made up of internal and external parts. Together, these organs help you urinate , have sexual intercourse and make children.

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Surgery For Prostate Cancer

Surgery is a common choice to try to cure prostate cancer if it is not thought to have spread outside the prostate gland.

The main type of surgery for prostate cancer is a radical prostatectomy. In this operation, the surgeon removes the entire prostate gland plus some of the tissue around it, including the seminal vesicles.

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Radical Prostatectomy Retropubic Or Suprapubic Approach

Youâll be positioned on the operating table, lying on your back.

An incision will be made from below the navel to the pubic region.

The doctor will usually perform a lymph node dissection first. The nerve bundles will be released carefully from the prostate gland and the urethra will be identified. The seminal vesicles may also be removed if necessary.

The prostate gland will be removed.

A drain will be inserted, usually in the right lower area of the incision.

Help Managing Cancer Treatment Side Effects

The team at Compass Oncology is experienced in helping patients treat prostate cancer and manage the side effects of treatment. If you live in the Portland-Vancouver area, have more questions about the side effects of prostate cancer treatment, or need help managing your side effects, request an appointment at one of our locations thatâs convenient for you. Weâre here with you every step of the way.

How Does The Male Reproductive System Function

The entire male reproductive system is dependent on hormones. These are chemicals that stimulate or regulate the activity of your cells or organs. The primary hormones involved in the functioning of the male reproductive system are follicle-stimulating hormone , luteinizing hormone and testosterone.

FSH and LH are produced by the pituitary gland. Its located at the base of your brain and its responsible for many functions in your body. FSH is necessary for sperm production . LH stimulates the production of testosterone, which is necessary to continue the process of spermatogenesis. Testosterone is also important in the development of male characteristics, including muscle mass and strength, fat distribution, bone mass and sex drive.

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